While education and experience play a part in the earning potential of forensic scientists, the industry in which you work is the largest determiner of what you can expect to earn in this profession.
While most forensic scientists work for governmental agencies, a select few also work for private hospitals and labs. The NIJ is where cutting-edge forensic science research and development take place.
Forensic scientists here focus on both basic and applied scientific research to advance the field of forensics. Forensic examiners with the FBI evaluate biological evidence to aid in law enforcement investigations, criminal and civilian court cases, and other regulatory proceedings.
These professionals are paid using the general schedule GS which, as of , included the following starting salaries:. In May , the BLS showed top-paying states for forensic professionals by average salary to be:.
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Job Openings for Forensic Scientist. MedCareers - 7 days ago. Adjunct Faculty - Master of Forensic Science. Equivalent relevant experience in ZipRecruiter - 2 days ago. Armstrong Forensic Laboratory, Inc. ZipRecruiter - 17 days ago. Forensic Scientist - Seized Drug Analysis.
Provide accurate and effective expert testimony in court regarding the scientific conclusions ZipRecruiter - 3 days ago. Forensic Scientist II. These are permanent positions. What does a Forensic Scientist do? Forensic Scientist. March 16, Participate in mock courtroom training sessions to learn the techniques and methods of testifying as an expert witness in a court of law.
March 28, Review department activities to ensure compliance with departmental policies and applicable regulations. March 30, Document examination results and findings, assisting in the overall investigation of an incident, and testify in legal or administrative proceedings as needed.
April 21, May 08, Luckily for those interested, the BLS predicts an explosion in job opportunities in this field. In fact, the BLS projects that between and , there will be a 16 percent increase in open positions for forensic science technicians. This figure is much more robust than the 8 percent growth rate predicted for all occupations during the same period BLS The expected addition of 2, forensic science technicians nationwide is only part of the story. These professionals also make more money on average than other occupations.
Here is a more granular look at the expected salary percentiles for forensic science technicians, one of many career possibilities in forensic science BLS May :. Three related occupations open to forensic scientists include biological technology, laboratory technology, medical science, and fire investigation.
Here is a breakdown of the expected salary within those careers and the current employment figures. Not surprisingly, employment figures and wages also vary by region, experience, education, specialty, and other factors. PayScale —an aggregator of self-reported salaries—shows differences in annual salary figures as correlated to years of work experience.
Here are the top-paying states for forensic science technicians listed with the annual mean salaries BLS May :. Luckily for aspiring forensic science technicians in the Golden State, three of the top-five highest-paying metropolitan areas were in California BLS :. The BLS also reports on the top-employing states for forensic science technicians, a figure that corresponds roughly with state population size:.
As mentioned above, salaries for forensic science technicians also tend to vary substantially by the employer. Interestingly, the highest paying industry in this field was the federal government.
In fact, three of the top five most lucrative employers for this profession were related to the government BLS May :. Although television shows like CSI and NCIS give the impression that forensic scientists spend much of their time at crime scenes and doing investigative work, these are primarily scientific laboratory positions. As mentioned above, a majority of forensic science technicians are employed by the government.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that local and state governments employ 59 percent of these professionals in police departments, morgues, crime labs, and coroner offices BLS Some choose to specialize in various types of forensic analyses and may work in biomedical research facilities, law offices, insurance firms, private investigation PI companies, hospitals, universities, ecological protection groups, private labs, and pharmaceutical industries.
Other employment developments may be ushered in by disruptive technologies such as DNA analysis. Finally, while some forensic science professionals work regular business hours, others may be called on to work holidays, evenings, or weekends, depending on the needs of evidence analysis. Some people choose to get investigative experience through law enforcement and may initially enroll in a police academy. Others pursue a college degree and gain knowledge on the job afterward.
At this phase, aspiring forensic scientists are encouraged to excel in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Additionally, some students may choose to volunteer through a local police department, fire department, or laboratory to garner some hands-on forensics experience in the field. Typical admissions requirements to these programs include sending official high school transcripts, submitting test scores SAT or ACT, in addition to the TOEFL test for non-native speakers of English ; writing a personal statement; and paying an application fee.
Be advised that most FEPAC-accredited programs are generally offered through hard sciences departments e. However, there are bachelor of science BS options available. Additionally, please note that while there are some associate programs available, students are encouraged to pursue the four-year degree option following the BLS recommendations for typical entry-level education. For more information on accredited forensic science programs —including detailed examinations of specialties such as computers, nursing, engineering, anthropology, and more—please read more about Forensic Science Degree Programs below.
After completing an accredited forensic science program, these professionals generally get some expertise on the job.
At this phase, many hone their skills in a specialty such as bloodstain patterns, crime scene reconstruction, and document examination, to name a few. While professional certification may not be required for employment, some forensic science professionals choose to become certified to enhance their employment candidacy and earning prospects. Housed in the International Forensic Research Institute on campus, students practice forensic DNA profiling and analytical toxicology using state-of-the-art equipment for forensic research.
Graduates from these programs go to work in forensic laboratory positions and research teams all over the world. Students can choose one of two specialization tracks: pre-law emphasis or science emphasis. Courses include forensic investigations, latent print processing, forensic soil science, forensic implications of inheritance, and internships. In addition, the Department of Entomology Scholars Society is a student organization that promotes undergraduate activities and functions with special programs and summer conferences.
All students take the to credit forensic science core curriculum and choose a concentration in forensic chemistry, forensic biology, or physical evidence.
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